HRRN Renews Agreements to Broadcast Triple Crown, Breeders’ Cup

For the fourth consecutive year, Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN), the Eclipse Award-winning broadcast organization based in Lexington, KY, will provide live on-site coverage of all three Triple Crown races as well as the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

HRRN announced on Monday, they have renewed their exclusive agreement with Churchill Downs, Inc. to broadcast the 140th Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday May 3 and have reached a three year agreement with the Maryland Jockey Club to be the exclusive radio network of the Preakness Stakes through 2016. In addition, HRRN will provide the national broadcast of the 146th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7 and will return to Santa Anita Park on Friday, October 31 and Saturday November 1 as the exclusive radio partner of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

HRRN’s relationship with the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup dates back to 2007 when the network hosted national radio broadcasts of Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park.

“The Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup represent the very best our sport has to offer and generate a tremendous amount of interest with mainstream audiences well beyond traditional racing fans,” said Mike Penna, President of HRRN. “Our team embraces the opportunity to be part of these historic events and we are looking forward to presenting the excitement and pageantry to our listeners around the globe.”

“We’re thrilled that Mike Penna and the talented HRRN team will once again showcase the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown to a national radio and global online audience,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “Their Eclipse Award-winning coverage of the spectacle surrounding the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands is second to none.”

“Pimlico is once again pleased to be part of HRRN’s Triple Crown broadcasts,” said Mike Gathagan, Maryland Jockey Club vice president of communications. “The HRRN team delivers a tremendous amount of knowledge and passion for Thoroughbred racing in its broadcast of the Preakness Stakes and the Triple Crown.”

“This year’s Belmont Stakes will highlight an unforgettable day, and we are very pleased that HRRN will again be on site to cover it,” said Chris Kay, CEO and president of The New York Racing Association, Inc. “With the Belmont Stakes purse boosted to $1.5 million, the ‘Test of the Champion’ tops what will be the second richest day of racing in North America in 2014 with total purses of $8 million. With the prestigious Metropolitan Handicap also on the card along with seven other graded stakes, we look forward to HRRN bringing the excitement from Belmont Park to listeners around the world on June 7.”

“Once again, we’re thrilled to partner up with HRRN. Mike Penna and his team have put years of hard work and dedication into making a HRRN a success and we couldn’t be happier to part of their family,” said Peter Rotondo, VP – Media and Entertainment, Breeders’ Cup.

HRRN has scheduled more than 30 hours of on-site Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown related coverage with live Derby week coverage beginning Wednesday, April 30 with HRRN’s popular Derby Countdown Show hosted live from Churchill Downs.

Each of HRRN’s Triple Crown broadcasts will air live from 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET, and will be carried on HRRN affiliates throughout the country as well as on SiriusXM satellite radio. Coverage will also be broadcast to U.S. service men and women around the globe on the American Forces Network, and streamed live on the HRRN website, www.horseracingradio.net.

Starting Tuesday, October 28, HRRN will be on-site at Santa Anita with nearly 20 hours of Breeders’ Cup coverage culminating with the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in prime time on Saturday, November 1.

In 2013, listeners in 140 countries and all 50 states made HRRN their home for live racing coverage.

A complete broadcast schedule with affiliate information can be found on the HRRN site.